Associate/ Senior Associate

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

We have a thriving, dynamic, growing six-partner Tax & Incentives Department based in London, Reading and Solent.  The work of the department can broadly be divided into five categories:

Venture capital tax: we have the UK’s leading VCT/EIS tax practice and, as such, a significant proportion of our time is dedicated to advising investors and companies on making and raising qualifying investments.  We structure and restructure investments to ensure compliance and frequently engage with HMRC on a wide variety of issues including to pre-empt the impact of the continuously evolving legislative framework in this area.

Corporate tax: we commonly advise on the tax implications of private equity transactions and transaction structuring, M&A, tax planning for management teams, reorganisations and restructuring including debt restructuring and demergers and advice on joint venture projects.

Management incentives and employment tax: we design and implement a broad range of incentivisation schemes.  We also advise on the exercise and restructuring of those schemes in the context of M&A and private equity deal structuring. In addition, our employment tax experts have a wide range of experience advising clients on employment tax matters including PAYE, termination payments and employment status.

Real estate tax: we support our real estate practitioners by advising on SDLT, LBTT, VAT, capital allowances and the CIS.  We have a large number of developer clients whom we structure development transactions for, giving rise to complex real estate project based tax issues.

Tax dispute resolution: our department includes a CEDR accredited mediator and we can assist in the handling of voluntary disclosures, HMRC enquiries, tax appeals and ADR. Our aim is to avoid protracted tribunal proceedings wherever possible through offering pragmatic advice.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate or Senior Associate to join our collegiate and highly respected Tax & Incentives Department. This specific role is a venture capital tax role. This role is a London role but either Reading or Solent could be considered for the right candidate.

The ideal candidate would have either a legal or accountancy background and will ideally have gained post qualification experience at either a leading City or regional law or accountancy practice. Some experience of venture capital tax would be desirable whilst experience of EIS/VCT is helpful but not necessary.

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.